UN system in Brazil dismayed by murder of Afro-Brazilian politician and human rights activist Marielle Franco

Mar 15, 2018

According to a UN Brazil figures, every 23 minutes a young Afro-Brazilian dies in the country. Photo: Instagram - Marielle Franco

New York, 15 March, 2018 - As hundreds of women from all over the world gather at the United Nations Headquarters these days to assess the status of women globally (Commission on the Status of Women)—including violence and participation in politics—the UN system in Brazil highlights its “consternation” over the murder of Rio de Janeiro city councilwoman Marielle Franco on the night of March 14.

“She was one of the leading voices in defense of human rights in the city, (…) developing a political platform related to the fight against racism and gender inequalities and the elimination of violence, especially in the poorest communities of Rio de Janeiro,” the statement says.

“Marielle was one of the milestones in the renewal of women's political participation, differentiating themselves by the progressive nature of social issues in the context of the responsibility of the local legislative branch,” states the UN System in Brazil, also expressing solidarity with the councilwoman’s family and friends, as well as those of her driver, also murdered on 14 March.

The UN System in Brazil stresses its expectation for “rigor in the investigation of the case and swift elucidation of the facts by the authorities, awaiting the responsibility of the perpetrator of the crime."